The RPAA is not seeking to be an agency, but has the goal to develop funds for many retired professional football players who have been excluded from a Player Benefit Program.   Many  need assistance to create sufficient income to afford the monthly pharmaceuticals that are common among older ex athletes…especially football players.  This will not include funds for those who have been fortunate enough to leverage their professional football careers with successes in their “after life” and do not need supplemental income.  The formation of RPAA has nothing to do with the current unrest between the NFL/NFLPA and retiree groups.  Regardless of the outcome of the unrest now in motion, it is almost assured that efforts to meet the needs of the older retirees will not be sufficient enough, or sadly, come soon enough for some with the greatest needs.

Rather than simply having the occasional functions to raise capital, i.e. golf tournaments, auction and others, RPAA is attempting to follow more of a  “business model”.  The goal is to make a group of  notable retirees available to corporate America for endorsements and marketing purposes, with some sort of residual arrangement of  funds for disbursement to those in need.  As we all know, America’s “baby boomers” are fast becoming the majority and they certainly identify with many of the football stars of the ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s…not to exclude the ‘90’s. 

We feel this is a great opportunity for companies to equate the use of their product with the success of the players of the past and the process of continuing down life's path.

                                                    Jon Arnett